My style of designing is a little different. I usually let the fabrics I work with inspire my children's clothing designs and blog projects, so I'm never quite sure what I'm going to come up with. When I got this package in the mail from Riley Blake Designs, my mind started swirling with about 10 different ideas. This line is 'Woodland Tails' and it is about one of the cutest lines around. It's sweet, whimsical, youthful and feminine (well, the colors I selected). After thinking about these fabrics and trims for several days, I finally settled on the project that I'm sharing with you today - The Embellished Hoodie Tutorial. This is a practical project for any girl......from a baby up to a tween. You can get as creative as you would like with the amount of embellishing you would like to include and can customize this look and theme to your liking. So, let's get started.........

For the back embellishment I used one circle from the Woodland Tails panel. I also wanted to make it a little more special so I hand-embroidered over some of the lines with embroidery floss using a back-stitch and a satin stitch (on the ears). I also added french knots on top of the brown dots around the edge of the circle. This part is totally optional, but I would suggest embroidering before you cut out the circle from the panel.

Cut out a circle from the panel. You can choose any one of the adorable animals. Just leave a 1" border around the edge of the actual design.

Next we are going to add the rickrack trim edging around the panel circle. I love to use Wonder Tape to hold trim in place, but you can also use straight pins. If you are not familiar with Wonder Tape, it is a double sided tape that washes away after going through the wash. It also doesn't gum up your needle when you sew through it. Line up the rickrack with the edge of the circle and overlap the two ends. Stitch down the center of the rickrack all the way around the circle.

After sewing the rickrack in place, turn the rickrack to the backside of the circle. This will allow for just the edge to poke out. Work your way around the circle, using your iron to press the seam open and press the rickrack into place.

To applique your circle piece to the back of the hoodie, grab your double sided fusible web (I use Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite) and follow the instructions to ahere it to the back of the hoodie. Once you've pressed it in place, stitch around the edge of the circle using a 1/8"-1/4" seam allowance. Make sure your bobbin thread matches the hoodie so that your stitching won't show on the inside of the hoodie.

Cut the lining for the hood. Lay your hoodie down, folded in half, and use this as your pattern (I use basic hardware store washers for pattern weights). Fold fabric in half and cut around the hood leaving a 1/2" for your seam allowance. You should now have two pieces for your hood.

Place your hood pieces with the right side of the fabric facing one another. Stitch around the entire side that is curved. Then clip your curve or use pinking shears to clip to reduce bulk and to help your curve lay flat. Press your seam open.

Press the front of the hood lining back towards the wrong side of the fabric a 1/2" (seen in the picture above). We are doing this to make one of our future steps a little easier.

Pin your hood lining to the inside of the hoodie at the bottom of the hood. Stitch across the bottom of the hood.

After you have sewn the bottom of the hood, press the seam open and line up the rest of the hood and hood lining. Top stitch around the hood lining to secure the rest of the lining to the main hood. That is why we pressed part of the hood under 1/2", so it would make this step easier and we would have no exposed edges.

If you want, you can add some trim detail on the inside over the seam between the hood and the main part of the hoodie. Again, this is totally optional, but it adds a cute little detail. I used the Riley Blake Designs crochet trim. Pin and sew in place. Make sure to turn the ends under so you have no raw edges exposed.

Now it's time to cut the ruffle pieces. This step will vary depending on the size of your hoodie. You want your ruffle pieces to be 2-2.5 times the length of the zipper all the way around the hood and back down the other side of the zipper. For the size 5, I just cut two strips on the fold of each fabric using the full width of the fabric. This should work for sizes 2-8, just shorten them a little for smaller sizes. Your width is going to be 5" for the bottom ruffle and 3.5" for the top ruffle.

So, you should have two strips of each fabric, for a total of four strips.

To make one big long strip of each fabric, place the fabric with the right sides together and sew one of the short ends together. Press seam open. Now you will have one long strip each of two different fabrics. Fold the long strips in half (length-wise) with the wrong sides facing (right side facing outward). Press.

Now we want to finish both ends of each strip, so that it will look nice when we add the ruffle to the hoodie. So, unfold the fabric and turn it the opposite way with the right sides together and sew both short ends. You will do this on two ends for both pieces of ruffle fabric.

I decided to use my serger to finish the raw edge of the ruffles. I know most people do not have a serger, so you can finish the edge with a zig-zag stitch or leave it raw. It's not going to show, but I just wanted a clean edge to work with. Use a gathering stitch to gather your fabric. To do this, set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length, mine is 5.0, and run a stitch all the way down the long, edge of the fabric. Make sure you do not backstitch at the beginning or end otherwise your fabric will not gather. Now pull one of the threads on either end of the fabric to begin gathering. Because this is two layers of fabric, it may take a little bit of work to gather the fabric. Gather both fabric strips until they are the same length as the zipper, around the hood and back down the other side of the zipper.

Line up your bottom ruffle first, then place your smaller ruffle on top, making sure to line up the raw edges. Pin all the way around the hoodie and stitch in place, sewing as close to the edge as possible. To conceal the unfinished edge sew trim on top. I used the Riley Blake crochet lace trim, but you could use ribbon or even bias tape. Do not get your ruffles and trim too close to the zipper or you run the risk of the fabric catching in the zipper. I would also recommend switching out your needle to a denim needle for this part as it is pretty thick sewing through the trim, four layers of fabric and the hoodie.

And once you've finished that step, you've got a gorgeous embellished hoodie!

You can find blank hoodies at most of your local retailers such as Target or Walmart. I ordered some of these from Etsy.com for $6.00 a piece. They are a really nice, light-weight knit.

I am totally in love with this fabric, Woodland Trails. I have so many other ideas.......dresses, pillows, little aprons, ruffle pants, baby quilts and the list goes on and on. I'll definitely be using some of my leftover pieces in future projects over on my blog, The Cottage Home.

So, what do you think? Think you'll make one of these for a darling little lady in your life? I'm sure she'd love it. Shoot, I think I'd even like one for myself!

A big giant thank you to Riley Blake Designs for having me today. I feel so honored to be working with such a fabulous company. I can't wait until my next post in a couple months. If you get a chance I'd love for you to come visit me over at my blog, The Cottage Home or come check out my children's clothing and sewing patterns in my shop, The Cottage Mama.

Lindsay...your work is always so impeccable and beautiful. What a great idea :o)

by ShastaMarch 07th, 2012 at 12:54 p.m.

Lindsay - what a great idea for finishing the edges of the applique. Rick rack finishes off curves so well. I'll definitely be using the tip!

by SarahMarch 07th, 2012 at 1:53 p.m.

This is so cute and I can't wait to make one for my little niece. Thank you for excellent directions and photos.

by CathyMarch 07th, 2012 at 2:57 p.m.

I love it. I did this with a Christmas sweater last year. (http://kinderkoutureclothing.com/?p=2760) I used trim and ruffle and an embroidered applique. I guess creative minds think alot alike. LOL. The fabrics are so cute, and vibrant. I cannot wait to start sewing with them.

by Jeannine March 07th, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.

Thank you guys so much! I had so much fun playing with this adorable fabric. It was really tough just settling on one idea because it truly inspired so many. Again, thank you all for your kind words!!

by Lindsay - The Cottage MamaMarch 07th, 2012 at 5:23 p.m.

Just adorable, can't wait to have a go at one myself!

by Natalie March 07th, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.

This is so cute - and I can see this repurposing many items. Thanks for showing this.

by KatheMarch 08th, 2012 at 5:26 a.m.

Love this and cannot wait to see a little smiling face in one of these!

by JaneMarch 08th, 2012 at 6:28 a.m.

This hoody is absolutely adorable! I can't wait to make one for my daughter! I'm most excited about the Woodland Trails fabric line because my sister just had her first little baby! I want to get some to make some cute things for him as a shower gift!

by MelissaMarch 08th, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.

What a difference to making this hoodie look amazing! Love what you did and me too, I want one as well. hehe. Thanks for a great tutorial.

by usairdollMarch 08th, 2012 at 9:19 p.m.

adorable! Love the way you use color and design! I have two lovely granddaughters who will each soon have updated hoodies also!

by carolyn EMarch 10th, 2012 at 9:50 a.m.

Lindsay, thanks so much for the beautiful tutorial. I used the double ruffle with trim idea to add a decorative trim to my daughter's pants. The pants were too short and the new ruffle solves the problem. Also, I used my scrap fabric from your Play Date Sew-along. How perfect!

by Nancy E in MNMarch 15th, 2012 at 4:32 p.m.

I love it, and will be making one for my daughter to be sure - thank you!

by Andreia from AustraliaMarch 21st, 2012 at 11:41 p.m.

Its so gorgeous. Thanks for showing.
Printed Skirt

by Printed SkirtApril 13th, 2012 at 12:29 a.m.

I have been trying to think of what to make my grandson's for Christmas. This gives me a wonderful idea. Instead of girly prints and ruffles, I'm going to use super hero prints and instead of ruffle trim just add color trim to match colors in material.

by RosemaryNovember 29th, 2012 at 7:25 a.m.

This is too cute I am going to make it for my granddaughter. she loves hello kitty.